Oct. 2, 2011

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The LMU men's water polo team split a pair of games in the final day of the 2011 SoCal Invitational hosted by Long Beach State on Sunday. The Lions faced rival and 12th-ranked UC San Diego for the third time in less than five weeks and fell 9-5. They then defeated Princeton for the second time in four days, 9-7.

Continuing a theme that has developed on the season for the Lions, the early quarters were a key as the Lions go to 8-5 on the season and 5-1 in the Western Water Polo Association.

Facing UC San Diego for the third time since the start of the season, the Tritons took control early to avoid their third setback of the season to the Lions. UCSD jumped to a 7-1 late in the third quarter and never looked back. Five the Tritons six of UCSD's nine goals were on the 6-on-5.

Mark Menis had two goals in the setback.

In game two, the Lions scored five goals in the first quarter and led 5-2 at the end of one. They led 7-4 and the break and led 9-5 after three quarters. John Mikuzis scored three of his four goals in the first quarter.

LMU returns home to face WWPA foe Whittier on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m.